Verified Document

James Mcbride Essay

¶ … racism investigated and a paradox that is inherent in a family that had a mixed race was also identified. Illustrations of these concepts can be found in the book the Color of Water written by James McBride. To provide contrast, this book was also considered in respect to another article published in 'The new York Times' in 2011 that explores similar issues. The article quotes a white woman at the supermarket commenting on the apparent disparity in the skin color of the mother and child says, "It's just not possible & #8230;You're so...dark!" (Saulny). Even though decades separate the two pieces, it is astonishing to realize that many of the issues pertaining to families of mixed race are essentially the same. Some members in a mixed race family can be treated differently than other members of the same family depending solely on their appearance and their complexation and this paradox will be further explored. Body

In the book 'The Color OF Water', James McBride essentially writes his own biography coupled with the life of his mother. McBride was dark in complexion and had typical features of a black man. On the other hand his mother, Rachel Shilsky -- a Jew by faith, was fair skinned and was considered to be a white woman. Rachel had got married to a black minister and gave birth to 8...

McBride got his black complexion from his black father.
Even as McBride grew up, he found that there was racial discrimination all around him. He was taught to see danger from whites and not to trust white colored people. This was a kind of a paradox for him. As a child the issues of race, religion and identity reigned supreme in the mind of McBride. He also failed to understand what he was doing in a family with a white member-his mother. He was confused. In his words in the book, McBride writes, "I thought it would be easier if we were just one color, black or white. I didn't want to be white. My siblings had already instilled the notion of black pride in me. I would have preferred that Mommy were black. Now, as a grown man, I feel privileged to have come from two worlds" (McBride). It is clear form the words that McBride was completely confused by his mother being white when he saw all around that white mothers had white children and black mothers black children. He, as a child and as an adolescent, failed to understand why his mother.

In another part of the book McBride writes how people viewed their family. When they would go out together people would point to his mother and…

Sources used in this document:
References

McBride, James. The Color Of Water. Print.

Saulny, S. (2011). In Strangers' Glances at Family, Tensions Linger. The New York Times. [online] Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/us/for-mixed-family-old-racial-tensions-remain-part-of-life.html [Accessed 5 May 2015].
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Color of Water
Words: 1027 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Color of Water James McBride was born of an interracial marriage between a white, Jewish mother and a Black, Christian father. Some of his negative life experiences included racism, poverty, segregation, and a substandard education. However, while he experienced many prejudices, he has also experienced many good and positive things within his life. His priorities in life included his home and family and these factors were very positive influences upon

Ruth's Attractions to Peter, Dennis, and Hunter
Words: 1509 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Ruth's Attractions to Peter, Dennis, and Hunter in the Color of Water: A Psychological Perspective In Chapter 11 of David G. Myers's Social Psychology, "Attraction and Intimacy: Liking and Loving Others" the author discusses various factors and qualities that account for what attracts human beings to each other, such as a need to belong; geographical proximity, a feeling of being similar to the person or having things in common, physical attractiveness,

Color of Water
Words: 949 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Ruth McBride Jordan is the strongest figure in James McBride's memoir, The Color of Water. As a mother of twelve children, Ruth did all she could to ensure that her children grew up to be independent and self-sufficient individuals. Ruth's own family background greatly influenced the methods and attitudes with which she raised her multi-racial children. Ruth tried to teach her children the hard work ethic she learned from her

Color of Water
Words: 1028 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Color of Water is an autobiographical account of the lives of the author, James McBride and his white mother Ruth, and explores issues of racial prejudice and religious discrimination. While the author's journey as an African-American is important, it cannot be read in the same context as other commonly known stories of suffering and prejudice in the South. This is because James McBride's story was influenced and defined by

Ritz Carlton Ritz-Carlton Case Study "Service" Can
Words: 1583 Length: 6 Document Type: Case Study

Ritz Carlton Ritz-Carlton Case Study "Service" can be an elusive concept. What is the essence of The Ritz-Carlton Experience? What is Ritz-Carlton selling? The Ritz Carlton's business model is focused on a narrow target market that expects world class luxury accommodations as well as extraordinary service by the hotels staff. Developing a staff that consistently provides quality service is not an easy proposition. To maintain this level of service it requires an advanced

Color of Water Racism and
Words: 969 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Opposite to Ruth, James' experience with racial and religious discrimination is somewhat different because the era changed. When James was in his early adulthood, the perspectives started to change and racial discrimination was viewed as an issue that must be changed. The difference in approaches can be related to the nature of the individuals, Ruth and James, but as well to the changing times. The nature of the two characters

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now